THE father of a murdered military policeman today slammed Government plans to cut the defence budget and demanded the return of British troops.

Tormented John Miller spoke out as the coalition Government prepares to cut funding for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in an attempt to tackle the UK’s record deficit.

John’s son, Cpl Simon Miller, 21, of Washington, was one of six Red Caps murdered when an Iraqi mob stormed a police station in the southern Iraqi town of Majar al-Kabir in June 2003.

Cpl Paul Long, 24, from South Shields, also died in the ambush.

Their killers have still not been brought to justice.

Following years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, John fears his hero son and all other fallen soldiers died for no reason. John, who lives in Usworth near Washington with wife Marilyn, said: “The Government is talking about cuts now, but there has not been one moment since this country went to war in 2003 where the Armed Forces have been properly funded.

“If they want to make cuts then they should do the proper thing and withdraw all troops from Afghanistan.

“That would save money and save lives.”

A recent report by the Commons’ Defence Select Committee expressed concern that the Strategic Defence and Security review, which will identify where cuts are made, is being carried out so quickly that “serious mistakes” will be made.

MPs claim this could undermine the Armed Forces, threatening the future defence of the UK.

The report also claims that the MoD may lose up to a fifth of its £37bn budget.

John added: “I think the Government should concentrate on giving returning soldiers the welcome they deserve, because as far as I can see they’re just thrown on the scrap heap. Also, the unlucky families never find out why their loved ones have died.

“No one from the Government has come up to me and given me an explanation as to why my boy was killed.

“We have no idea what this war is about any more, what are our soldiers dying for?

“They should never have been sent to war in the first place.”

Last month the Chronicle told how five Iraqis arrested over the Red Caps’ deaths were cleared.